The Narrowing Way Summary and Analysis

At the orphanage, Elias began a friendship with Faraj Nakhleh, another student whose parents had sent him to study under the Bishop. At the end of their education at the orphanage, both were then sent to a seminary in Nazareth, to begin the journey toward priesthood. On his very first day, as Elias is in church for prayers, he has a bit of an epiphany. He felt at home, realizing that in this opportunity for solitude, he could find perfect peace. Here, he felt God's presence in an immensely personal way.

Elias and Faraj had a strict and rigorous schedule of study at this seminary. Again the intellectual approach to Biblical study was frustrating for Elias, as he continued to struggle for a personal, emotional relationship with his God and Jesus. He continued to find his mother's...